740.00119 European War 1939/1015: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 26—2:16 p.m.]
434. Definition of Finnish front given by Finnish Minister at Ankara as set forth in your 109, May 23,89 seems approximately correct but as indicated in my 359, May 8,90 there are probably nine or more German divisions in this country. As suggested in my 417, May 22,90 Finns now are alone on Svir front and it seems probable that Finns alone hold Karelian Isthmus notwithstanding report in my 426, May 23.90
“Strategically defensible frontier” mentioned by Finnish Minister at Ankara remains declared war aim of Finland. What such frontier might be when Finland finally stands alone against U. S. S. R. and in view of modern methods of war particularly air power is not easily defined. I think Finnish Minister was repeating sentiment expressed in my 309, April 27 when President Ryti said to me he would make peace any time he could be sure Finland could get “security”. It may be that Ryti directed his Minister at Ankara to sound Steinhardt because of latter’s participation in conversations preceding Moscow peace of March 1940 but I have no reason to think Finnish Government is prepared to make separate peace with U. S. S. R. at present.
[Page 61]Finnish Minister at Ankara apparently ignored important question what Germans might think of Finnish attempt to conclude separate peace. Finns are bound by their relation of cobelligerency with Germans and are not likely to abandon it without obtaining compensatory protection. This suggests that until tide of war definitely turns there is little to convince Finns they should give up German support. Two conditions seem necessary to such change in Finnish policy as heretofore repeatedly reported namely change in military situation favorable to us and capacity to feed these starving people. On both points perhaps as good a statement as any was made by Erkko some months ago when he said to me in facetious manner that best solution might be landing of overwhelming American force in north Finland to protect this country not only against Russians but Germans as well. At present I do not think Finns can disengage themselves even if they would.
In view of your 61, April 22,91 I shall not approach Foreign Minister or President pending further instructions with regard to possible peace feeler mentioned in your 109. It happens that on June 2 I expect to have important members of Government and some former Cabinet Ministers for a stag dinner and if Department has any suggestions on this occasion I may be able to sound Witting or Tanner.